Excessive intake of iodine and low prevalence of goiter in school age children five years after implementation of national salt iodization in Shebedino woreda, southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Iodine is a trace element required for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. The multiple effects of iodine deficiency on human health are called iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs). IDDs have been common nutritional problems in Ethiopia. In 2012, Ethiopia launched a national salt iodization program to address IDDs. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of this program after 5 years by measuring urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and prevalence of goiter in school age children as well as household salt iodine concentration (SIC). Methods A school-based cross-sectional design was employed. After ethical approval, 408 children from eight randomly selected primary schools provided urine samples. UIC was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometry (ICP-MS). A 10 g salt sample was collected from each household of a sampled child. SIC was analyzed with a digital electronic iodine checker (WYD, UNICEF) and goiter was assessed by palpation. Results The mean (±SD) age of the children was 9 ± 2 years. The prevalence of goiter was 4.2% and no child had grade 2 goiter. The median (IQR) UIC was 518 (327, 704) μg/L and UIC ranged from 3.1 to 2530 μg/L. Of the salt samples, 15.6% were not adequately iodized (< 15 ppm), 39.3% were adequately iodized (≥15 to ≤40 ppm), and 45.1% were > 40 ppm. SIC ranged from 4.2 to 195 ppm. Of the mothers, 92% said iodized salt prevents goiter and 8% mentioned prevents mental retardation. Conclusions In 2017 iodine deficiency was no longer a public health problem in the study area. However, the high variability in UIC and SIC and excessive iodine intake are of great concern. It is vital to ensure that salt is homogenously iodized at the production site before being distributed to consumers.

Determinants of Incident Stunting in Elementary School Children in Endemic Area Iodine Deficiency Disorders Enrekang Regency

“…The results showed that there was no significant relationship between palpation of the thyroid gland and the incidence of stunting (p = 1.000). This study is in line with a recent study in Southern Ethiopia which showed a low goiter prevalence and no school children aged 6-12 years had grade 2 goiter [23].…”

“…This study is in line with the recent study of Li et al [22] in 35 low-and middleincome countries who found that no use of iodized salt was significantly associated with the likelihood of stunting. Iodine is an essential trace element for human growth and development and is required for thyroid hormone synthesis [23].…”

Prevalence of urinary iodine concentration among school children: in Dessie City, Ethiopia

“…Another study in Anchar district, Eastern Ethiopia, reported a median urinary iodine concentration of 146 μg/L which is comparable with the present study. On the other hand study in Shebedino woreda, southern Ethiopia the higher median urinary concentration, 518 (327 to 704 μg/L) was seen this increment might be because the study was done after the 5 years implementation of the national salt iodization program [16].…”

Herbicide Roundup shows toxic effects in nontarget organism Drosophila

“…We found that Roundup exposure at larvae stages decreased the levels of glucose in the hemolymph of adults. A possible explanation for the decrease in fly hemolymph glucose levels could be that glyphosate leads to a reduction in overall food consumption (Elias et al 2021). Our study is in good agreement with previous studies that have demonstrated that glyphosate decreased the level of glucose in rats Rattus norvegicus (Hasković et al, 2016).…”